Automobile body heater



April 14, 1942. M lPAYNE 2,279,489

AUTOMOBILE BODY HEATER Filed March 1, 1957 2 sheets-sheet 1 [N VENTORavyerf M yne.

E A TTORNE Ys.

April 14, 1942. L. M. PAYNE 2,279,489

AUTOMOBILE BODY HEATER Filed March 1, 1937 2 sheets-sheet 2 Il l" MMI 'If ii w I la i Patented Age-14, 1942 AUTOMOBILE BODY HEATER v Lambert M.Payne, Detroit, Mich., assignor, by

memo assignments, to Eaton Manufac Company, Cleveland, Ohio, acorporation oi Ollio Application March 1, 1937, Serial No. 128,405

1l Claims.

This invention relates to automobile body heaters and particularlyrelates to the type of heaters by which the temperature of the bulk ofthe air within the body may be raised and at the same time a stream ofheated air may be directed against the windshield to prevent theformation, or effect the removal, of frost or ice on the windshield.

Objects of the present invention are to provide a relatively small andcompact heater of the type described and of improved construction whichwill take up a minimum of room within the passenger compartment of thevehicle; to provide a simplified heating structure having a heating corewhereby air may be forced through the core to heat the air and a portionof the heated air drawn from said core and discharged from said heaterin a direction different from that of the main body of heated airdischarged from the heater; to provide an improved heater havingassociated therewith a -novel type of unitary fan members by which airis forced through said heating core by one portion of the unitary fanmember and a portion of the heated air is changed in its direction of owby the other portion of said unitary fan member and discharged from theheater in a direction different from that of the main body of air; toprovide a novel unitary fan member having a portion which directs airaxially forwardly and a portion which directs air centrifugally; and toprovide a heater structure which is economical to manufacture, easy toinstall, and effective in use. a

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing specification, the drawings relating thereto and from theclaims hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like partsin the several views throughout:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view, with parts broken away, ofthe interior of a vehicle having associated therewith a heating unitembodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view, with parts broken away, and showingparts in elevation, taken substantially along the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view with parts broken away takensubstantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a partial cross sectional view taken substantially along theline I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating a 55 modified form ofstructure according to the present invention and Fig. 'I is a viewsimilar to Fig. 5 illustrating another modiiied form of structureaccording to the present invention. i

In an automobile body heater of the type including a radiator, or core,heated by steam or hot water and a motor driven fan which circulates airin the body through the core for the purpose of heating the air, it hasbecome increasingly popular in recent years to provide means fordirecting a portion of the air heated from the radiator against the rearface of the automobile windshield, independently of the main stream ofair issuing from the heater. Such separate stream of air is directedagainst the inner face of the windshield in order to remove anycondensed moisture in the form of fog or the like that tends to collecton the same and to melt any snow or ice on the exterior of thewindshield which otherwise might tend to interfere with the vision ofthe driver.

One way of Vaccomplishing this result is to provide a heater having anauxiliary fan built into the heater proper which discharges anindependent stream of heated air through a tube to the windshield orother point at which it is desired to discharge it. These types ofdevices, as far as I am aware, are not as highly eiiicient as desiredand additionally have been embodied in a necessarily bulky structureinterfering with the leg room in the front or drivers compartment of anautomobile. In at least one of such types of devices the auxiliary fanis positioned in the rear of the motor which drives the main fan andthis necessitates the provision of a relatively long heater.

In accordance with the present invention a unitary fan member isprovided which includes propeller blade members having radial extensionsformed integrally therewith, the radial extensions providing theauxiliary fan. By this structure the combined fan elements, one of themforming a fan for directing airaxially and the other-a centrifugal fan,provide a structure which takes up no more room than the ordinarypropeller type of fan alone. The depth of the heater within which theunitary fan member is mounted may be shortened considerably, as comparedto prior types of fans employing auxiliary fans, so that a compact andsmallheater is provided which takes up a minimum of space within thepassenger compartment. Y

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in Figure 1 an automobile isillustrated having a dash l2, a Windshield I4, shown as of the dividedtype, and an instrument panel il. The heater assembly is shown generallyat I1, it being understood that it is supported from the dash l2 andthat the main flow of heated air therefrom is discharged through itsfront face past the usual shutters i8.k The auxiliary air stream fromthe heater I6 is shown by way of illustration as being dischargedthrough a tube 2l to a Y 22 from which the branches 24 lead tonozzle-like members 26 which project through openings therefor in theupper edges of the instrument panel I6 and in a position to direct theheated air therefrom against the inner face of the windshield I4 onopposite sides of the center thereof.

Referring to Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, the heating element, or heatingcore, includes a pair of spaced headers 28 and!! and interconnectingtubes 30 shown of the flattened type with the plane of thickness of thetube arranged in parallel relation to the axis of the heater. The tubes30 communicate at each end with the spaced headers for the flow ofheating medium between the headers. 'I'his heating medium may be of anysuitable substance but preferably in accordance with conventionalconstruction is either heated water from the internal combustion enginewhich drives the cooperating automobile, or steam which is formed as aresult of the operation of the engine. l

The heating medium is introduced into the header 28 through a rearwardlyextending tube 34 connected to the top of the header 28 through a bend35. The heating medium is discharged from the opposite end of the header29 through a similar tube 36 which communicates with the interior of theheader 29 through an opening in the bottom thereof and through a bentfitting l1. The tubes 34 and 38 project through the dash I2 of theautomobile and are there connected with a suitable source ofheatingmedium in such a manner as to cause a circulation of heating mediumthrough the core.

The tubes 30 are preferably arranged in aligned relation as bestillustrated in Fig. 5, and carry a plurality of spaced transverselyextending heat exchange fins 32 which serve to form passages for guidingportions of the air passing through the heater towards the sides of thecore in a manner that will become more apparent hereinafter.

The heating core is preferably substantially rectangular in shape, andplate members 4l are mounted adjacent the sides of the core to confinethe passage of air therethrough.

The heater assembly is provided with a casing which encloses the heatingcore and also encloses the fan unit and motor, which will'hereinafter bedescribed. This casing is formed in two sections, namely 42 and 44,which are preferably substantially circular in cross-section. Theforward section 42 encloses the core and the forward portion of theheater assembly and is provided with diametrically oppod outwardlydisplaced portions 4l for housing the fitting members 35 and 31. Therear section 44 encloses the rear portion of the heater assembly and isprovided with elongated openings 48 therethrough around thecircumference thereof for that will be hereinafter' described.

The front casing portion, or section, 42 is provided with a centralrectangular opening therethrough through which the main body of airheatedby the heating core is discharged. The shutters Il, whereemployed, may be suitably hinged to the front casing parts within therectangular opening so as to enable the effective area of the opening tobe controlled and to aid in the direction of distribution of the mainstream of air issuing from the heater.

The forward casing section 42 is preferably in spaced relation to theheating core so that spaces or chambers 5l are provided between portions of the casing part 42 and the side walls of the core defined bythe members 4I. fora purpose that will be pointed out in detail/hereinafter.

A motor 52 which is preferably of the electric type is secured to therear casing section 44 substantially centrally thereof by means ofscrews or bolts 54 or the like. The motor 62 is provided with drivingshaft 5i to which a fan assembly El forming one feature of the presentinvention is supported and drivingly secured.

'lhe fan assembly 5l comprises in part an axial type of fan formed bythe radially extending fan propeller blades 60. Other fan elements 02 lare secured to. preferably by being formed integral with, the propellerblades II and extend radially outwardly therebeyond to provide acentrifugal type of fan. The fan elements l2 include portions 64 whichmay be of curved formation as shown to form scoops and provide thecentrifugal action of the outer peripheral por` from the bottom edge ofthe curved portion 64 of the fan element 62. The bottom wall I8terminates, preferably close to but slightly spaced from the rear faceofthe radially extending por tion of the fan element 62, so thatpropeller blades 6l are free to rotate within the annular space providedby the bottom wall n, and the fan elements i2 are free to rotate withinthe connlng channel formed by the annular ring member i6. The annularmember Si thus serves as an air confining shroud for the fan blades Iland also serves as a housing for the fan elements i2.

The outer annular wall portion 1li extends forwardly of the fan member5I when the parts are in assembled position, and the forward annularedge of the outer portion 1l is telescopically received within the rearannular edge portion of the front casing section 42. The rear casingsection 44 is slidably received over the annular outer portion 'Il andthe front casing section 42 and rear casing part 44 are mounted and heldin abutting relation to each other by means of screws 14, or the like,which extend through the wall member 1I.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3 it is evident that the confiningchannel formed by the annular ring element 6i is in open communicationwith the rear faces of the corner portions I6 of the core through thespaces between the fins 32 and also with the spaces or side chambers il.

directed laterally from-the heater so as to -pro.

vide aconnection for the duct 2l previously described and which leads tothe windshield Il.

The heater assembly may be supported from' the dash l2 by means oftheinlet and outlet pipes lt. and JI respectively which extend throughopenings in the dash andare threaded over those portions adjacent theopening throughA the dash for receiving thereon nuts .I for securelyholding me assembly in position. other suitable means may be providedfor mounting vthe heater assembly to .the dash, for example, the inletand outlet pipes 34v and lt respectively may bealoosely received throughopenings 'in the dash and other openings provided through the dash andthrough the rear upstanding face of the heater casing for receivingtherethrough suitable means such as bolts and nuts for securing theheater assembly to the dash.

It will be understood that in operation, and assuming that a tiow ofheat exchange medium is being circulated through the heating core,

that when the motor 52 is energized, it will cause the unitary fanmember 58 to rotate thereby rotating the propeller blades 60 togetherwith the vcentrifugal fan elements 62. The fan blades 60 in rotatingwill draw air in through the openings I oi' the casing and force the airforwardly through the circular opening formed by the inner wall 6I ofthe annular ring member '66, which forms a shroud for the blades 60, andthrough the heating core, and the air in passing therethrough will beheated and in being discharged therefrom will be directed by the doorsI8 as desired. Although the greater portion of the air directed throughthe core passes from the heater through the front opening, a portion ofthe air passing through the heater will be drawn, by the suction createdby the centrifugal fan elements 62, rst sideways through the passagesformed between the ns 32 into the corner portions 16, and thencerearwardly through such corner portions into the annular confiningchannel formed by the member 66. Such air, in being drawn into thecorner portions 16 will, of course, be heated by its contact wtih thetubes and fins 32. The heated air thus collected inthe channel formed bythe member 66 is discharged from the heater through the dischargeconduit 18.

l Referring particularly to Fig. 5 it can be seenY that the sides of theheating core are separated from 'direct communication with the chambers50 by the wall members 4B, and it is also evident from an inspection ofthis figure that although the main portion of the air passing throughthe heater is discharged directly through the front face of the casing aportion of the air adjacent the side walls 40 is deflected by thatportion of the front casing member 42 which is spaced slightly forwardlyof the front edge of the wall 40 adjacent the front opening therebyaiding in directing a portion of the heated air into the chambers fromwhich it is drawn by the cen-.- trifugal fan elements.

Referring to Fig. 6 a modified structure is i1- lustrated which issubstantially the same as that described above in regard to Figs. 2 to5, except that in the modication illustrated in Fig. 6 the wall members40 are dispensed with so that the chambers 50 communicate directly .withthe interior of the heating core through the open sides. In thisstructure, in operation, the centrifugal portions separate from the fanelement I2 draws the heatedair from the ycore through the open sides ofthe ooreand through the chambers Il in addition the air from the cornerportions 1I.

Referring to Fig. 7 a structure is provided lin which the front wall Ilof the front casing section 42 is spaced a substantial' distanceforwardly ol' the front face of the heating core with the edges of thecasing overlapping the sides of the heat' to drawing ing core so ythatthe portion Il oi' the casing serves as a deilector to direct asubstantial portion oi' the air passing through the heating core intothe chamber Sl from which it is drawn by the centrifugal fan element t2.

Formal changes may be made in the speciilc embodiment of the inventiondescribed without departing from the spirit and substance of theinvention, the scope ot which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a heater, a heating core, said heating core being-substantiallyrectangular in shape and having transversely extending fins, a fanmember rotatably mounted in back oi' said core, said fan memberincluding radially extending propeller members so constructed andarranged as to draw a stream of air into said heater and force itthrough said core to thereby heat said air, said fins being arranged toform passages for the ilow of a portion of the air passing through saidcorel to the corners of said core, other tan members secured to saidpropeller members extending radially beyond the tips of said propellermembers. said other fan members being so constructed and arranged as todraw that portion of air flowing to said corners and means forming adischarge conduit associated with said other fan members confining thepassage of those portions of heated air drawn by said other fan membersin their discharge from the heater and maintaining those stream of airdrawn into the heater.`

2. In a heater, a substantially vertical forwardly facing heating vcore,said heating core being substantially rectangular in shape and havingtransversely extending fins, a fan member rotatably mounted about asubstantially horizontal axis at the rear of said core, said fan memberincluding radially extending propeller members so constructed andarranged as to draw a stream of air into said heater and force the airthrough said core to thereby heat the air, said ilns being spaced toform passages for the flow of a portion of the air passing through saidcore to and fromthe corners of said core, other fan members fixed withrespect to said propeller members and extending radially outwardlytherebeyond forming a peripheral fan portion on said ilrst named fanmember to draw a portion of the air passing through said core to saidcorners, and an annular means so arranged relative to said propellermembers and said other fan members as to form an air confining dischargeconduit for discharging those portions of heated air drawn by the otherfan members in discharging said air from the heater and maintainingthose portions separate from the stream of air drawn into the heater.

3. In a heater, a casing, a heating core within said casing, saidheating core being substantially rectangular in shape and havingtransversely-extending flns, plate members confining the sides of saidcore, a fan member rotatably mounted in back of said core within saidcasing, said fan member including' radially extending propeller flow ofa portion ofthe air passing through said' core to the corners ofsaid'core, other fan memasrassa bers integral with said propellermembers and extending radially outwardly therebeyond forming aperipheral fan portion on said nrst named fan member to draw thoseportions of'air lflowing to said corners out oi said core, and meansforming a discharge conduit .associated with said other fan membersconiining'the passage of that portion of the heated air drawn by saidother fan members from said heater.

4.1In a heater, a core, said heating core beingsubstantially rectangularin shape and being open at its sides. a casing enclosing said heatingcore and spaced from a side of said heating core to provide an airchamber adjacent said side oi said core inv open communication with anedge of said core, a fan member rotatably moimted in back of said core,said fan member including radially extending propeller members soconstructed and arranged as to force air through said core to therebyheat said air, other fan members drawing the heated air from saidchamber, and means forming a discharge conduit associated with saidother fanl members .conilning the passage of those portions of air drawnby said other fau members in their discharge from the heater.

5. In a heater, a heating core, said heating air through said core tothereby'heat said air. other fan `membersintegral with said propellermembers and extending radially outwardlytherebeyond, and means forming ahousing for said other members. said housing having an opening toreceive airtrom said core and having an snnular wall adjacent the outerends of said propeller members providing an air confining conduit forsaid propeller members.

'1. In a combined heater and defroster, a heating radiator having airpassages, a blade type fan for'impelling air through certain of saidpassages, and a blower typeA fan integrally formed with and located atthe periphery of the blades of the iirst mentioned fan. and operable toimpel air through others of said passages, and a housing surroundingsaid blower type fan communicating with said passages, said housinghaving' a wall forming a confining chamber for said blade type fan.

8. In a combined heater and defroster, a heating radiator having airpassages, a fan for impelling air through certain of said passages, a

blower for impelling air through others of said core being substantiallyrectangular in shape and having transversely extending fln members, acasing enclosing said heating` core in spaced relation to the sides ofsaid core to provide air chambers, said casing having a forwardly facingopening therethrough positioned in front of said heating core, the wallsof said casing deiining said opening being spaced forwardly of said coreand extending inwardly toward the center of said core in overlappingrelationship to the side margins of said core, a fan member rotatablymounted in back of said core, said fan member including radiallyextending propeller members so constructed and arranged as to force airthrough said core to thereby heat said air and to discharge the mainportion of said air through said forwardly facing opening, saidoverlapping portions of said casing deflecting a portion of the airpassing through said core into said chambers, other fan membersassociated with said chambers for drawing heated air therefrom, andmeans forming a discharge conduit associated with said other fan memberscommunicating with said chambers.

passages, said blower being of an internal diameter as great as theexternal diameter of said fan, and a casing within which said bloweroperates, said casing being located in close proximity to said heatingradiator.

9. In a combined heater and defroster, a heat-l ing radiator having airpassages, a fan for impelling air through the more centrally locatedpassages, a blower for impelling air through others of said passagesradially removed from the rst mentioned passages, and a casing for saidblower supported in close proximity to said heating radiator, wherebythe air impelled by said blower enters directly from said air passagesinto said casing.

l0. A device of the class described, comprising a radiator, means forforcing a larger'volume of air at relatively low velocity through arelatively large area of said radiator, means fordrawing air through asubstantially smaller area of the radiator, and delivering the samecentrifugally at relatively high velocity, said last mentioned meansbeing attached peripherally of the rst mentioned forcing means.

11. A combined automobile heater and defroster comprising a radiator, apropeller of the axial flow type for delivering air at relatively lowvelocity through a relatively larger area oi' the 'y radiator, and animpeller of the centrifugal de,

livery type for drawing air through a relatively smaller area of saidradiator and delivering the same at a relatively substantially highervelocity, said mpeller being attached at the periphery of the propeller.

LAMBERT M. PAYNE.

